Pakistan’s Army Chief called on Thursday for rivals Arch India and Pakistan to “bury the past” and move towards cooperation – an opening to New Delhi that followed the unexpected congregation’s announcement of the spontaneous ceasefire between the military of two countries.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa stressed that India’s burden was to create a “conducive environment” and said Washington played a role in ending the regional conflict. In both nuclear-armed countries, Pakistan and India have fought three wars, and in 2019 tensions escalated when they send fighter planes to their respective regions.
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“We feel it’s time to bury the past and move forward,” Bajwa said in a speech at a conference in Islamabad that was intended to highlight the new Pakistani government security policy. “But … our neighbors (India) must create a conducive environment, especially in Kashmir occupied by India,” he said.
Pakistani’s strong army has ruled the country for almost half of 73 years, and the military has long controlled foreign policy and security. India and Pakistan are controlling the parts of the North Kashmir region, but both claim the Himalayan region in full – which has become a source for most conflicts.
The relationship deteriorated in 2019 after Delhi revoked Kashmir’s special status that was long protected under the Indian Constitution. Bajwa said South and Central Asia’s economic potential had “forever remain hostages” for Indian-Pakistani disputes.
The military from the two countries released a rare joint venture on February 25, announced a ceasefire along the disputed border in Kashmir after exchanging fires several times in recent months. The United States immediately welcomed the move and encouraged to promote bilateral talks between the regional rivals. Pakistan’s Army Chief said that he had “hope” in the form of a new government, President Joe Biden, which could help facilitate peace in the region.
